A parent’s first instinct is to protect their baby, whether that’s during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. The Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists (RCOG) and the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) want to reassure women and families that one of the best ways to protect themselves and their baby from COVID-19 is through vaccination.
We are deeply concerned by the confusing and alarming information spreading online which has arisen from documentation taken out of context. We would advise those worried about this to speak to your midwife or obstetrician. While it may feel like the pandemic is behind us, COVID-19 can still be dangerous in the later stages of pregnancy, potentially leading to preterm birth and complications. Multiple studies, meanwhile, have shown that COVID vaccines are safe and effective for pregnant women and their babies.
The Government has announced that pregnant women will be prioritised for an autumn booster of the COVID-19 vaccine in line with the latest advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), who recognise pregnant women as a clinical at risk group. We therefore urge all pregnant and breastfeeding women to ensure their vaccination status is up-to-date.